The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-12-14
BOYS AND GIRLS.
A Few Hints That Children Will Do Well
to Heed-Why Not he Helpful and Po-
lite at Homes?

A Few Hints That Children Will Do Well
to Heed-Why Not BE Helpful and Po-
lite at Home?
There are hundreds Of bright boys and
girls, who are just beginning to see
that they can do great deal to make
those around them happier. They are
doing some helpful things without be-
ing asked, and they think Of the COM
fort of others as we'll as their own.
l know some of these young folks,
and find it pleasure to see them
growing manly or womanly. Instead
of thoughtlessly asking for every thing
for themselves, they are thoughtfully
giving much help to others. When
this change begins at home it brightens
things there wonderfully. But some
boys and girls change in their manners
and their demands upon every one ex-
cept their mother. They fail to be po-
lite, thoughtful and considerable toward
the one who would be most pleased to
receive their courtesy. Instead of a
polite reply when asked to go on an
errand there is a protest and, perhaps,
sharp order to: "Get the basket quick
or won't go at all!' When some re-
quest is denied they answer: ooh, you
never care whether l have any thing"
or, Il think you are just as mean
as any thing" or you just
want me to have horrid
time, l know" uttered in tones SO dis
agreeable that even an unfceling post,
if spoken to in such way, might be
forgiven if it jumped from its place and
started after the speaker.
Mother knows l don't mean it, ;"
they say, only half ashamed, if some
one tells them it is not kind. But if
they could realize how these things
they 'do not mean" pain their moth
ers, and how rude they are, the words
and tones would be changed.
Some boys and girls find it especially
hard to do promptly what they are told
to do, and must be- asked over and
over. They are not so impolite as to
pay no attention to call for a little
help from even strangers; why then so
uncivil to their mothersp Its habit
that is good only to be rid of, for there
is pleasure in responding quickly and
cheerfully when asked to help, and in
being ahead of the call, too, without
waiting to be asked, or reminded to dc
things that have to be done every day.
These slow girls and boys do not real,
ize how it tires those around them tc
nrge them to begin every thing they do.
''l'd rather do the work myself ten
times over, if l could, than have the
children around in the kitchen, .
mothers often say, and they meant it
for the children, instead of quietly do
ing as they are told and being rea]
help to the mother who really needs
them, get their fingers and noses int
every thing in the closets, and on thu
shelves, upset things and waste then
andinsist upon making the cake, work
ing the butter or doing some other thing
beyond their skill, and frowning ant
fretting if asked to do some simple
work. This isn't help at all, it is tn
most troublesome kind of hindrance.
If your mother tells how very bus,
she will be, and you answer eagerly
''let me help you," do be as good a
your word. Help her, and do it in he
way, or it will not be help at all. DON
criticise every thing you work with
nor demand something different. Don
call the disll-cloth horrid, the knive
dull, the table too little, the broom to
heavy and the kitchen too hot, or you
mother will soon be too much tried t
endure your help any longer. She ma
sigh and say nothing, if You say tina
she never lets you help, but in trut
she would be pleased indeed with rec
help from you, but the worry and trot
BILE you make cancel all your help an
leave some trouble over to add to he
own work.
/ Another way in which boys and CIR
sometimes fail in the treatment of the
mothers, is by borrowing from ther
without asking to do so, and forgettin
to return the things taken ava,
Scarcely any thing escapes these youn
borrowers, the fire-shovel, the broom
the sharp knives. iron spoons, scissor
thimbles, thread and great variety {
other things, from IL cake-pan to pa
of stockings. And when these thing
are wanted the borrower has forgotte
, that he ever had them until they al
found where he Cor she) left them.
} They would be heartily ashamed
!, treat neighbours wife so, but entire
forget to be as thoughtful and consi
I crate of the things belonging to Il
, mother, who, though she may scol
| forgives and overlooks their maj
a faults and failures, loves them with q
b her heart, and is made glad by eve
, attempt they make to please her. I
. sons and daughters who do the me
i, for their mothers, who snow eve
courtesy to her that they would